Clay Cooper's Country Express

THE CLAY COOPER THEATRE IN BRANSON: Fun Entertainment For All Ages

If you are in the Branson area and searching for a show that will not disappoint, the Clay Cooper Country Express at the Clay Cooper Theatre is where you need to be! From the moment you sit down in your seat, the energy level is absolutely through the roof. Not only is Clay Cooper the star of the show, but he performs with 24 other very talented entertainers as well. This show steps up the game and really offers an experience that is so much more than what you would expect. This article is written in partnership with Stone Castle Hotel & Conference Center.

My tickets were provided to me to help facilitate this review, but my opinions are always my own. What you will expect here is a show that offers a variety of music that everyone from all generations will enjoy. From country, rock n roll, gospel, and patriotic, the music will have you tapping your foot and clapping along the entire time! It’s truly one of those music shows that combine energy, talent, entertainment, and dancing all in one family-friendly venue that is welcoming to all.

FULL OF SO MUCH ENERGY FROM THE OPENING ACT

If you’ve ever attended any type of music show, you know that most performers have energy in the beginning but may start to fade a bit as their performance continues to go on. Trust in the fact that this doesn’t happen at The Clay Cooper Show. From the moment that he enters on the stage, to the moment that he leaves, he is high-energy and full of smiles. It’s obvious that he has a passion for his performance and truly loves being able to do that passion in front of large crowds at Branson. In fact, he’s been performing for Branson fans since he was 16 years old. Imagine the performance that he puts on after being in the business for over 32 seasons!

THE CLAY COOPER SHOW- 32 SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!

Even before Clay Cooper started performing in Branson at the age of 16, he was no stranger to the entertainment world. In fact, his love of performing was what actually brought him to Branson in the first place. The beautiful part of being a performer in Branson is that no matter what, there is always a venue and avenue to showcase your musical talents. Clay Cooper is no stranger to putting on a good show, and no matter where he is doing it, he’s certain to gain new fans along the way. Even if you’ve never heard of him or his show, one trip to Branson will change that entirely!

OPEN AND PERFORMING THROUGH CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S EVE

While some venues may shut down during certain times of the year, The Clay Cooper Theatre continues to offer a great show throughout the holiday season. In fact, their Christmas show has become a “hot” item to see when visiting Branson at Christmas. They split the show in half, and perform half of their regular show and half a Christmas special. Stick around over New Year’s Eve, as I’ve heard they put on quite a show then too!

CLAY COOPER THEMED CRIB SUITE AT STONE CASTLE HOTEL

Finally, continue the Clay Cooper fun by heading over to the Stone Castle Hotel where they offer a Clay Cooper Crib Suite. Designed by Clay and his wife, Tina, this Crib Suite is described as ‘modern Texas’ style! If you are looking for a little something “unique” when staying in Branson, the themed-rooms at Stone Castle Hotel are an absolute must!

GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT!

When visiting Branson, make certain to see The Clay Cooper Country Express by yourself, or with your family. You’ll never see another show quite like it, and you’ll be amazed by the energy level that’s presented by each and every performer. It’s simple to see the passion, the pride and the perfection in the performers! They truly do put on a spectacular show! Here is the schedule for the current season to help you plan your trip accordingly.

On our way home from Branson last month, I asked my husband what his favorite show was that we attended while on the sponsored #BloggingBranson trip. He was quick to respond with Clay Cooper’s Country Express! That’s probably why he was so upset with me when I unpacked the suitcase and accidentally dropped and broke our signed Clay Cooper Bobblehead. He sure didn’t laugh like he was sitting in the audience during “Branson’s Best Show”!

Yep, I broke the bobblehead and I was just as sad. It was signed by THE Clay Cooper, who I’d been looking forward to seeing for weeks before arriving in Branson. After watching a promo video for The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center where Clay was “bathitating” in his themed suite I knew I was going have a blast! You don’t perform for 32 years in Branson without putting on a show that people love and Clay Cooper, his family, and the hilarious Matt Gumm did just that.

Clay Cooper’s Country Express features 24 entertainers who bring comedy, dancing, impersonations, and more to the stage. Add to that a live band and you’re in for an entertaining evening of singing and laughing. Oh, the laughter! Much of that was thanks to Matt Gumm who not only performs in the show but is also amazing at impersonations of Bruno Mars and ZZ Top among others.

Gumm also puts on one heck of an opening skit with help from the audience! Getting the audience involved and engaged makes Clay Cooper’s Country Express even more special. Clay takes time during the show to get to know some of the audience, especially those visiting from Kiester, Minnesota. Did you know that is where a Preparation H commercial was filmed? I’m still laughing about that!

When we weren’t laughing, we were clapping and tapping along to hit songs both country and a few current popular hits, as well a patriotic tribute to those served and are currently serving our country and a selection of gospel songs to showcase how important faith is to Branson. There are songs for people of all ages in Clay Cooper’s Country Express making it a great family show for all generations.

Like the Hughes family, the Cooper family both entertains and runs the theater. From concessions to clean-up, to practicing, and performing they do it all, even Clay and Tina’s sons Colt (shown below) and Caden Cooper. They steal the show when they are on stage and both love to sing and make people laugh – working with Matt Gumm all day how could you not!

After the show, Clay and often his family, come out and chat with the guests. They are so warm, friendly, and inviting that you feel like you’re hanging out with family. We were able to ask them some questions afterward and I really wanted to know how Tina, Clay’s wife, manages her entertaining homeschooling sports playing busy family. Lots of planning and faith in God are what help her. Based on meeting her boys she’s doing an amazing job at motherhood and balancing family with work because they were both so polite, behaved, respectful, funny, and happy.

If you are planning a trip to Branson, add Clay Cooper’s Country Express to your must-see list! I hear they put on a fantastic show for the holidays, Ozark Mountain Christmas, where the second half of the show is ALL CHRISTMAS! I wonder if Matt Gumm dresses up as Santa for it…?!

The “Clay Cooper Country Express Show” opened for the 2018 season last week, and I must say, I was completely blown away by this year’s show, which is quite different from past “Express” productions.

From the ridiculously awesome production and lighting for opening number, which I won’t dare spoil here, (although I will say Clay and his wife and co-producer Tina chose one of the “Greatest”songs to highlight a “Showman” of his magnitude), to the classic country, pop, rock, gospel, patriotic and comedy he’s know for, I was thrilled, enthralled, and most of all, quite surprised.

While Cooper and his cast of talented performers still abide by his traditional format, the song selections, arrangements and production aren’t necessarily what one would expect from this show, but it works perfectly. In the interest of being as spoiler free as possible, I’m not going to mention specifics, but be prepared to be taken for quite a thrilling ride.

In addition to the new material, Cooper and company are also sharing the stage with several new cast members, including James Redden, Jordan Dickison and David Griffin, who perform as a trio. Not only do these guys sound great together, but their voices blend perfectly with the rest of the cast. 

To be honest, their tunes with female vocalist Kari Garrison, as well as their participation in a cover of one of my favorite James Brown tunes, along with Clay and the boys, most assuredly stand out as highlights of the show.  

Add in some of the best dancers in town and a top-notch band featuring Harrell, Mark Evans, Jimmy Hyde, Jonathan Black, Robbie Springfield and the awesome Barry Bales, and you’d be hard pressed to find anything cooler than this year’s version of the “Clay Cooper Country Express.

More often than not, show producers and performers are scared to take a chance and do something new or unexpected, which usually results in a tired retread of the same old, same old. So I must tip my proverbial hat to Clay and Tina Cooper for having the moxie to take these chances and bring something new, fresh and fun to Ozark Mountain Country.

Y’all go check it out. I promise, you will not be disappointed.